‘Bridgerton’ Season 2: Producer Says Making the Sharmas South Asian Was ‘a Very Simple Choice’
The newest additions to Bridgerton Season 2 are Kate and Edwina Sharman. The two ladies venture to London to find Edwina a suitable husband-to-be. The Netflix series gained praise from audiences for its inclusive characters and cast. For the new season, Edwina, Kate, and her mother are of Indian heritage. Bridgerton Season 2 executive producer Shonda Rhimes explains making the Sharmas South Asian did not take much thought.
The Sharmas are an addition to inclusive and diverse characters in ‘Bridgerton’ Season 2
During the first season of Bridgerton, audiences had mixed feelings over the series’s use of different races in a Regency-era London. Compared to the original novels, the series is an alternate historical reality with colored members of the ton.
According to creator Chris Van Dusen to the New York Times, “…to base the show in an alternative history in which Queen Charlotte’s mixed-race heritage was not only well-established but was transformative for Black people and other people of color in England.”
For Bridgerton Season 2, the inclusive characters remain with the addition of the Sharmas. They are the first South Asian characters of Indian descent in the series. In their backstory, Kate and Edwina grew up in India and traveled to London for the courting season.
Including the Sharmas in ‘Bridgerton’ Season 2 was a no brainer for Shonda Rhimes
The first season of Bridgerton did not delve deep into the world outside of London. But for the second season, fans will get to see a bit more with the help of the Sharmas. According to Rhimes Netflix’s press interview, making the Sharmas of Indian heritage was an easy decision.
“Making the Sharmas of South Asian descent was actually a very simple choice. I wanted to feel like the world we were living in was as three-dimensional as possible, and I wanted to feel like the representation was as three-dimensional as possible, too,” explained Rhimes.
The executive producer explains she and the creative team had similar ideas of wanting to represent women with darker skin as “authentically and truthfully” as possible. The Sharmas’ heritage and upbringing in a different culture outside London are sprinkled throughout the season. Rhimes and the team wanted the series’s global audience to feel included.
“I wanted to make sure that if you are watching Bridgerton from another country, you’re not thinking to yourself, “Well, this has nothing to do with me.” Well, absolutely it has something to do with you. The humanity in every character should feel universal,” said Rhimes.
Kate and Edwina Sharma fall into a love triangle with Anthony Bridgerton
While the series producers revealed the steamy sex scenes had been toned down, they promise a riveting display of longing, lust, and sinful gazes. For Bridgerton Season 2, Anthony decides to uphold family duty and find himself a wife.
For the former playboy, finding a suitable pride is not easy. That is until the introduction of newcomer Edwina Sharma and her sister Kate. Edwina catches his eye, and he is determined to wed. The complex and protective Kate gets in the way when she realizes his true intentions. While keeping him away, their fights turn into passion.
